Technical > Computer Hardware Help > Drive or Driver likely?

Drive or Driver likely?

Likely not a driver issue, at least not for the DVD drive. All CD/DVD drives use a generic Windows driver. There isn't a new version and it isn't drive brand/model specific...it's the same driver for ALL drives.

Instead of uninstalling hardware/drivers, try simply disabling the device in Device Manager.

You can test the HDD using the drive manufacturers disk tools available from their website.

You can test the RAM using Memtest86.
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reply to jrs8084
Required information:

1) Make and model of computer.
2) OS

Could be defective memory or the memory could be incorrectly seated or have dirty terminals.

I would :

1) Reseat memory, being sure that it is properly seated in the slot and clean the terminals on the DIMMs.
2) Run memtest for 2 or 3 hours, or until an error is encountered.
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reply to Dogg
Thanks all. I know you likely wanted the computer info, but I purposely omitted it being that I didn't want this to be a rant thread against the manufacturer.

ASUS K53E, Win 7 HP 64-but I think that is irrelevant at this point. I think Dogg pointed out what I needed-it is a generic Windows driver. Researching this model didn't get any smoking gun hits, so likely it is the drive itself.

Mem tests/stress tests pass 100%. Honestly, that is all I think they did when I sent the machine in for testing. (While I like the machine when it works, I don't rank the company highly with tech support.)

So, I guess off to service it goes again. Each time takes about a month :-(

Thanks all.

reply to jrs8084
Have you try maybe... downloading »www.malwarebytes.org/ and check is it a spyware? and also for AVG for anti virus. »free.avg.com/us-en/homepage

But try malwarebyte first.

reply to jrs8084
"restored to factory setup, etc. Still, the problem returned."

Do you mean the problem returned immediately after restore to factory state and before installing any additional software or do you mean that it worked fine for a while and then the problem returned after the software environment was altered?

Thanks all. I have done a variety of restores-the last few times only doing system updates. The very last restore (as in wipe drive/reinstall OEM software)-I did absolutely nothing-refused network access and let it run. Zero items installed. I just let it sit there with the task manager open. Doubtful it is malware (unless it came from the factory)

Based on Dogg's response, I do believe it is hardware. I may be a Mac guy, but I do deal with PCs a fair bit-thus I long ago had run all the mem/stress tests. The reason I wondered if it could be a driver is because I only have seen it happen after hibernation. I have never seen the problem on a first boot.

Before I saw the DVD drive was somehow related, this was a PITA to troubleshoot-it would take a couple days to manifest, so you would update a driver/firmware/etc and you had to wait to see if the problem came back. And ASUS kept telling me the machine was A OK.

Heck, now I know where to look and I am letting it run on my desk-hoping for the NT Kernel & System to pop up.

I know things break/defects occur. And ASUS customer support may be lacking, but I do still like this laptop-it has a design and fit and finish most other notebook makers seem to miss the mark on.

Thanks all.

reply to jrs8084
Update:after a month, this came back form warranty attempt #4. Again-"we don't see anything" (The support guy is like a tenacious defense attorney grilling everything you say) Then, I got a snippy "well, we can replace the [mobo] if you insist". I told them to do whatever they needed to fix it. Then I had to ask them to actually test it before they shipped it out. A few days later-they guy came back stating it was the wireless card causing bus noise. (Glad I insisted they keep it) Well, replaced that-and guess what it is back and the same darn problem.

And I have been able to go in each time and disable the DVD drive to restore usability. (Yes, I told them about this) It is the only component (other than trackpad/display that hasn't been changed.)

I am not wasting my time sending it back again. So, I can either live with a flakey machine (don't really need), or try to fix it myself.

1) Are there any tools you suggest for me to go in to see if it is truly the DVD drive. (like monitor interrupt requests/etc. sorry if that isn't the correct terminology)

2) are dvd drives in laptops of a common form factor, or are each unique to the maker? (it appears that the bezel can come off to)

TIA

reply to jrs8084
Disconnect the drive and test to see if the problem returns.

Or drives are cheap enough that you could simply replace it. But depending on how often the problem has been occurring, simply disconnecting the data/power cables should give you an idea if it's a drive issue.
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